A Choice for Compassion
Read more: Seeing Things – A Choice for Compassion – Liza Donnelly – May 9, 2025Source Links: A Choice for Compassion – by Liza Donnelly – Seeing Things
Pope Leo
Liza Donnelly
May 09, 2025
Americans have a tendency to assume that everything is about us. But it’s hard not to think that the Catholic Church’s selection of an American to be the new pope, Robert Francis Prevost is a strong sign. He is of somewhat liberal leanings, with a strong focus on global compassion and equality, and doesn’t have a direct connection to the conservative Christian ideology here, a politically driven ideology that frankly threatens the world. I assume they could have selected a person from another part of the world with a similar viewpoint, but they chose an American. This doesn’t seem random.
I haven’t been particularly invested in this selection process, I have a tendency to be a bit suspicious of the Catholic Church. But it’s wonderful that they chose a man who appears to represent a desire for unity. Since one cannot ignore the power of the Catholic church in many people’s lives, this is a great thing. Before he was chosen, Robert Francis Prevost, had the papal seal of approval from his predecessor, Francis, who put him in one of the top jobs in the Roman Catholic Church. He was also a missionary, pastor and bishop in Peru who ran the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, a part of the world where the church is vibrant.
After Pope Leo was selected (I love the name he selected), news outlets scoured his social media—it’s fun to think he has social media. What was discovered is that he had pushed back on some of J.D. Vance’s far-right Maga views of what the church is supposed to be. I am paraphrasing, but Vance has stated that the church teaches us an “order of love,” or ordo amoris, to love our family first, and then you can extend it to others in the world if you want. Prevost took exception to this, that we cannot rate our love in an order.
Discover more from DrWeb's Domain
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
